NEW YORK CITY—April 11, 2014—PFLAG National last night held its sixth annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala at the New York Marriott Marquis. Straight for Equality—a nationwide outreach and education project created by PFLAG National—educates, engages, and empowers allies to advocate for and support people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ).
This year's honors went to Ally Sheedy ( PSYCH; HIGH ART; THE BREAKFAST CLUB ), American Jewish World Service president Ruth Messinger, and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.
Writer/producer/comedian Lizz Winstead ( Co-Creator, THE DAILY SHOW ) once again hosted the evening, and was joined on stage by auctioneer Sara Friedlander of Christie's New York, who was recently named by ARTINFO as one of the "30-and-Under Crowd: The Art World's Most Influential Young Figures."
Others appearing on stage included former New York City mayor David Dinkins, MSNBC's Thomas Roberts, and Sophie DiCampalto, a transgender woman who shared her story of how PFLAG National's Straight for Equality project helped her through her transition, in the workplace.
"I'm here to put yet another face to the brilliant, life-saving work that PFLAG National does through its Straight for Equality project," said DiCampalto. "My agency's staff was informed of my transition just prior to PFLAG's Jean-Marie Navetta appearing before them to help them understand what was going on, and to expertly answer their many questions." Navetta, PFLAG National's Director of Equality & Diversity Partnerships, advised DiCampalto's company on trans-inclusive policies and procedures, and presented a training to employees. DiCampalto, describing herself as "reclusive and hidden for years," found herself, "…suddenly appreciating and accepting all the love and support that was being showered upon me by my co-workers." Said DiCampalto, "I owe so much of my amazing newfound life to PFLAG National and its Straight for Equality project."
Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, honored for progressive policies on LGBTQ diversity and inclusion—as well as strategic marketing campaigns such as Care With PRIDETM—was represented on stage by CEO Alex Gorsky, who spoke movingly of the company's commitment to equality, which aligns so closely with PFLAG's. Said Gorsky, "PFLAG has been at the forefront of fighting for equality and inclusion, values we believe in deeply at Johnson & Johnson."
Sheedy—a longtime advocate on behalf of homeless LGBTQ youth through her work with the Ali Forney Center—spoke not only of her advocacy work, but of her personal connection to the cause of LGBTQ equality. Said Sheedy, "As the mother of a queer kid, whom I love more than anything in this world, I thank you for this incredible honor."
Honoree Ruth Messinger spoke about the need to make a vocal difference. "It's not what you stand for," said Messinger, "but what you stand up for that counts."
In addition to the awards, the gala included a particularly moving dance performance by young students from Harlem School of the Arts, which was choreographed by longtime teacher/choreographer Ronald K. Alexander, and performed to "Heaven & Earth" by GrammyTM Award-nominated artists Neshama Carlebach and the Green Pastures Gospel Choir. A lively auction helmed by the talented Friedlander featured items from LA Live, Marriott, American Airlines, and last year's Straight for Equality in the Workplace honoree Whirpool.
As the honors went on inside the beautiful New York Marriott Marquis Broadway Ballroom, outside, PFLAG National's message of love, family, diversity, and inclusion was shared with thousands of people in the heart of New York City: Times Square. Thanks to Thomson-Reuters Corporation, two 30-second spots—one for PFLAG and one for the Straight for Equality project—played in rotation, often more than three times per hour, from noon through midnight on the JumboTron screens. PFLAG National Executive Director Jody Huckaby shared from the stage PFLAG's thanks to Thomson-Reuters, as well as a video feed of both spots as they looked to onlookers outside.
Images from PFLAG National's 2014 Straight for Equality gala can be found at WireImage: http://www.wireimage.com/search/#events?q=[480976787]&ep=1/60/1&s=3.
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Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the original family and ally organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and allies uniting with LGBTQ people, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. PFLAG has more than 350 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states. To find out more about PFLAG National's programs and services, please visit us at www.pflag.org . Straight for Equality is a project of PFLAG National. It was launched in 2007 to invite, educate, and engage allies to have the discussions necessary to move equality forward for their gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and queer friends in simple, nonpolitical ways. Learn more at www.straightforequality.org today.
